Bilateral Boomer Story

[Dan L]

Congrats Boomer, very happy you are making forward progress.  I know what you mean about putting this aspect of our lives in the rearview mirror, I feel that way as well, and on a number of recent days, I find myself almost "forgetting" about my hips.  That realization is both liberating and a bit sad, to somewhat leave all the incredible people here.

Sincere Thank You for your humor and encouragement through these past months, your posts were among highlights for me during these not so trivial last 10 months or so, the ball-busting kept me on my toes when I needed it most.

All the best my friend and if in your state, we'll have to have a cold one or two to celebrate the metamorphosis.

Dan

[Boomer]

I am just about at the 90 day point on my second hip. This recovery had been slow, just like the first one. However, in the past seven days I have been able to enjoy my new hips, and they responded better than I ever could have hoped. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week I went boogie boarding in San Clemente and Huntington Beach. Cold water, big waves and enormous fun. Sand and the ocean are great for recovering hips, I say. I had a blast, and even when the ocean got a bit rough with me, no problem with the hips. A little stiffness and soreness, but nothing that lasted more than an evening. Went to an Angels game in Anaheim on Thursday night, and had no trouble with the stairs. Saturday I went for a 28 mile bike ride with my wife, who has been training for, and doing triathalons this summer. I'm slow, and I was tired at the end, but it was a splendid ride. Sunday we hiked from Brainard Lake to Isabella Glacier, a five mile loop that includes 800 feet of elevation gain. Not a difficult day for most people, but just enough for me to test out the new hips. Again, some soreness and tightness, but no real pain. What a joy to be back in the Rockies hiking around like everybody else! Monday we did another bike ride, but I was too tired to finish the ride, and we had to skip the big climb of the day. Six days of exercise out of the last seven days. I hoped life would be this good after having both hips fixed, but I didn't want to have unrealistic expectations and be disappointed.

I still have range of motion issues that I need to work on. Putting my shoes and socks on is still a challenge for the second hip. I haven't been diligent enough with the stretching exercises. This recovery is really a full time job. I've missed some things.

My lovely wife has been with me every step of the way, and made the two resurfacing challenges possible. It really takes a whole team of support people to make this a good experience. The support of the people on this website is remarkable. Nobody does this alone.

Life is very good. Thanks everyone for the help and guidance you provided to me all along the way. We've got a successful bilateral story here, no doubt about it. Celebrate with me. And, if there is anyone I can help along the way to the other side, please let me know.

Boomer

[John C]

Hey Boomer, thanks for sharing the wonderful report!!!

[Spanielsal]

Blimey.... I'm both uplifted and awed reading your post. Who could ever have imagined that given the state you had been in t the beginning of your story, Boomer, you are doing so well you have your life back.  Good on you, you deserve it!  So great to hear.  Enjoy! 

[Spanielsal]

Ps, I went back and re read some of your posts. I'm still chuckling at your post about the tooth, the blood sausage and the psychiatrist.  I love your humour.

May the sun shine, the trails stretch out and the sea sparkle for you!

[hernanu]

Great end to the summer, Boomer - really glad you're on your way, it still gets better after this.

Range of motion will still be an issue for a while, but it comes. Just keep celebrating with your wife and the rest of us. It's great to read and to see.

[Anna]

Nice one Boomer! Sounds like you are using those new wings to the max. So glad everything is going well :)

[bilateralbliss]

Boomer! San Clemente? Was there in April, beautiful place, amazing how well you`re doing. Congatulations, what`s the secret? Am way behind you- probably due to being back in the UK:)

[Dan L]

Congrats Boomer.  Beach bumming in Costa Rica after #1 and along the Pacific Coast after #2, not so shabby a rehab assignment for one of us old guys.

Sounds like some great hikes/rides and morale builders, I'm happy for you.  It keeps getting better.

After a week of fun last week hiking in the Catskills near Albany and up/down the Allegheny escarpment in far western NY, all fun mind you, I was thinking of you as I excavated down to the cleanouts of our septic tank and experienced no pain, or squeaking despite your previous warnings of same.

Keep up the good progress, and get after that stretching, socks/shoes should be old hat very soon.

Dan

[Boomer]

Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary for my right hip. Getting close to six months on my left hip. Time for an update. I am staying very active, with some kind of work out every day. The weather has been great in Denver this Fall so I have been able to ride both my mountain and rode bikes. No limits of how far I can ride, but I have tightness and some difficulty climbing steep mountains and pushing the biggest gears. I expect it is scar tissue and general soft tissue that is still healing. And, I am slow! Really slow! But, no complaints. I get on and off my bike like most other humans. I haven't been able to do that for years.

I mix in workouts on the treadmill which are helping me extend my stride and stretching the scar tissue. Some Pilates and weight lifting with a variety of different free weights. The first squat I did about two months ago was not pleasant, but now I do squats routinely and things are getting stronger and looser. No problem clipping my toe nails or putting on shoes. I've also been hiking in the mountains and do a three and a half mile walk around a lake by my house every other day, just because it is beautiful. I couldn't get around the lake before my surgeries.

Here's the best part. All the psychological issues that came with the chronic pain, loss of activity and fear of the future are gone. My psychiatrist, who helped me through all of this, told me he didn't need to see me anymore for psychotherapy and stopped the antidepressants. I'm not saying I'm normal, but at least I don't need professional help.

My last few vacations were ruined or severely compromised by my bad hips and depression. Now that I have my life back I have already booked trips to Miami, Costa Rica and Hawaii this Spring. And, my wife and I are scheduled to ride from Prague to Vienna in July. Time to start living my life again. There was a time when I thought active vacations were over for me. I actually started looking at cruises.

I want to give proper respect for my surgeon Dr. Rector, who installed both of my hips. My last visit with Dr. Rector was one of the most memorable meetings I think I will ever have. Follow up X-rays on both hips were "perfect" according to the good doctor. He smiled and told me that we had done good work and that my hips would continue to improve for the rest of my life. I tried to find the words to thank him, but there really isn't anything I could have said that would have conveyed what we all feel at that point. He understood and just smiled to let me know he was happy as well. What a splendid fellow!

Newbies and those just lurking about trying to get their hands around this whole resurfacing thing hear me out. There is nothing to be afraid of if you pick an experienced surgeon and follow his/her instructions. It's very hard work getting full value from the procedure, but the rewards are beyond anything you could hope for. And, the journey will bring you satisfaction and strength, new relationships, a renewed trust in your fellow man, including a number of strangers who will care for and comfort you during the dark times we all face during the initial recovery.

Hern, Tin, Woodstock, Dan, Curt, Kirk, Kiwi and too many others for me to remember, raise a glass and join me tomorrow to celebrate my anniversary. I couldn't have made it without you. I am deeply humbled and exceptionally grateful to be part of the Hippy Community.

Many thanks to all you Hippys.

Boomer

[hernanu]

Boomer, I'll be raising a glass to you for sure. My two year on my right hip is today, but that pales in comparison to the one year anniversary, the improvement and lifting of spirits is tangible; the second is just very satisfying.

Really glad for you, I also went off antidepressants at about that time. You are well on your way, brother.

:o ;D  ...  I actually started looking at cruises.   ::) ;D

That's when you knew you were ready for resurfacing, huh?   ;D ;D

[patrick_d]

Great update!  Really very inspirational.  Thanks for sharing.

[Woodstock Hippy]

Great upsate, Boom.  I'm glad to hear that things are going well.

''I have already booked trips to Miami, Costa Rica and Hawaii this Spring''

Three vacations in one spring, you really are doing good!

[Kiwi]

Awesome report Boomer. Glad you're enjoying both your new parts so much. You're an inspiration to so many people here & the one year mark is a milestone worthy of glass raising.
Cherz to you on your one year anniversary mate .....the first of many!!!
Kiwi

[Dan L]

Boomer;

Excellent report, very glad to hear you are doing so well, and sincere congrats on your anniversary.  The quote that your doc said about your hips continuing to improve for the rest of your life is profound-- I figured it would plateau at some point, but that is a really nice way to think about it, thank you for sharing.  The comments about psychological health ring very true, I am amazed how much better I feel in that respect, almost like a new person.

Three spring vacations not too shabby, in July it is sure to be interesting to explain hip resurfacing in multiple European languages while you "turn your head and cough" at the security checkpoints.  "Is that an acetabular cup in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" I've heard that kind of search is extra.

I'm envious of your hiking track-- sounds really nice.

Best regards

Dan

[Jason0411]

Excellent report Boomer and congrats.

[Ross]

I love San Clemente. I use to surf down by the county line close to the nuclear power plant.  Was wierd when you were under water you could hear the turbines humming.  The dolphins would come right up to my board.  The waves are easy double over head at times there.  Man I miss that place.
Enjoy it.  There is a really great sushi place right near by there too..can't remember the name now.
Ross

[phillwad]

Boomer - love to hear the success and you getting back to what you love to do.  I took my good wife on a hike on Sunday and 5 miles was not a problem - I regularly do 8 to 10 miles. 

Bike riding - you will soon get back some speed and fitness - take your time.  I am now faster than 3 years ago.

Enjoy - Phi ll

[Boomer]

Phil,

Thanks for the encouragement, but at 58 years old I have accepted it as fact that I will remain slow. I've been training very hard. I'm just slow. I'm visiting fellow Hippy John_EMD in Fresno in February to do some riding and a hike in Yosemite. He still rides the pro circuit, so I am fearful of a but kicking. Obviously it won't be the first.

I stopped into a ski shop in Salt Lake City late one afternoon last week to buy a gift. Two elderly skiers were holding court telling folks what the ski conditions were like that day. I asked the two fellows how often the skied. They told me they skied three or four times a week. I said, that's pretty expensive. They told me because of their age they skied free. So I asked how old they were. The young fellow was 80! His older buddy was 92!!!. I asked to see their drivers license to confirm this. It was true. I had to sit down. Now that is a success story.

I'll be trying some snow shoeing as soon as we get some snow. Had to give that up a couple of years ago.

Thanks for the feedback. Life is good.

Boomer

[hernanu]

Really good to hear that Boomer. Maybe you'll be showing your id at some point and telling some youngster about your awesome hips.